Christina Kim: “No Tears This Time”

The “Korean Duo” is gearing up to deliver some good news for the Chuseok holiday.

Christina Kim (Kim Cho-rong, 20) of the LPGA Tour, and Kevin Na (Na Sang-wook, 21, Kolon Elord) of the PGA Tour have both pulled ahead in their respective competitions, taking strong first steps on the road towards their first regular tour championship titles.

On September 24, in the first round of the Longs Drugs Challenge (total winnings: one million USD) at the Ridge Golf Club (par-71) in Auburn, California, Christina Kim whipped up an impressive seven-under-par 64, including seven birdies, to assume the lead by a single stroke over her competition.

Christina Kim has command of a driver tee shot which averages a whopping 268 yards and boasts a 100 percent record of making the fairway. She is set on redeeming her near-miss at the State Farm Classic three weeks ago, when she had to settle for second place, even with a score of 23-under-par 265.

Newlywed golfer Han Hee-won (FILA Korea), aiming for her second consecutive win since last week’s Safeway Classic, maintained a competitive pace, tying for seventh place with a four-under-par 67. Lee Jung-yeon (Hankook Tire) is tied for 14th place with a three-under-par 68 score.

Kevin Na delivered an amazing performance as well. In the first round of the 84 Lumber Classic (total winnings: 4.2 million USD) at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (par-72) in Farmington, Pennsylvania, Na sunk five birdies and no bogeys up to the 14th hole before play was suspended due to sunset. Tied for second place with an intermediate total of five-under-par, he has a real shot at his first victory in the PGA Tour.

Enjoying the sole lead at present with a six-under-par 64 is Vijay Singh, currently ranked number one in the world. “Tank” KJ Choi (Superior, Taylor Made) is tied for 40th place (one-under-par 71).

Na, who is ranked 100th in total winnings ($653,864) so far, needs to finish in the top 10 this time in order to maintain his full-seed status (125th or higher in total winnings for the preceding year) for next year’s season. A 10th-place spot in this competition will allow him to add $113,400 to his PGA purse, which will bump him up to around 80th place in total winnings and land him in relative security for the coming year.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com